Canada’s wildfires continue to spread

Officers look on as smoke from Fort McMurray's raging wildfires billow into the air after the city was evacuated.
REUTERS/Topher Seguin

Canada’s wildfires continue to spread

Canada’s wildfires continue to spread

More than 25,000 people evacuated from Canada’s Fort McMurray are still on the move as the wildfire that forced them from their homes continues to grow.

The huge fire, raging in the Canadian province of Alberta, has grown to 85,000 hectares and officials say the evacuees who had previously fled to the north may have to move south.

In total, more than 80,000 people have had to leave Fort McMurray in the heart of Canada’s oil sands.

According to The Guardian the Alberta government said on Thursday more than 1,110 firefighters, 145 helicopters, 138 pieces of heavy equipment and 22 air tankers were fighting a total of 49 wildfires across the province, with seven considered out of control.

Volunteer Marlee Hildebrandt washes beds with her daughter Oakley on her back as she helps evacuees from the Fort McMurray wildfires. REUTERS/Mark Blinch.

The fire grew rapidly, fuelled by gusting winds.

The fire has destroyed more than 1600 homes and other buildings in Fort McMurray. There have been no injuries or death from the fires.